Former Ho-Chunk Nation legislator Rodney Rave has suspended his campaign for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District and endorsed fellow Democrat Emily Berge in the race to challenge Republican Derrick Van Orden.

     Rave announced the decision in a statement released this week, saying he believed stepping aside was the best move for the district moving forward.

     The 3rd Congressional District race has drawn attention across western Wisconsin as Democrats look to unseat Van Orden in the state’s key battleground districts.

     “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one, and this decision is what I can do personally for the district, and the country,” Rave said in the endorsement statement. “I will be supporting Emily Berge starting today all the way through November, when she will take this seat from Van Orden.”

     Rave launched his congressional campaign in 2025 and had promoted bringing a Native perspective and rural representation to Washington during his run.

     Berge, a former Eau Claire City Council president and small business owner, has centered her campaign on healthcare affordability, economic issues, and opposing Van Orden in the western Wisconsin district.

     “As I have travelled the 3rd CD, I have come to know Emily. She shows up,” Rave said. “We always have good discussions, and she always centers the people of the district.”

     He also encouraged his supporters to unite behind Berge heading into both the Democratic primary and general election.

     “I humbly ask the folks who were supporting and helping me to support and vote for Emily on August 11th and again on November 3rd,” Rave said.

     Rave additionally framed the endorsement as an issue of representation rather than party politics.

     “This isn’t a partisan issue, this is about who best represents the people of Wisconsin,” Rave said. “Emily is the only candidate that will truly represent Wisconsinites, not what has become the norm, politicians answering to money rather than people.”

     The Democratic field in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District now narrows as Berge continues her campaign against fellow Democrat Rebecca Cooke ahead of the primary election. The winner will face Van Orden in November.